I can’t imagine being a teaching assistant before the age of social media.

On a surface level, that might seem odd. But Sarah, one protests, people made plans and lived lives long before Instagram. Yes, that’s true, and these mediums certainly have their drawbacks. However, the Internet genuinely makes it easier to access information and interact with people outside of those you’d otherwise encounter IRL. I don’t think I fully appreciated the positive aspects of social media until this year.

How have I personally found it most helpful as an assistant?

1) Connecting with people

The main “Language Assistants in France” group is helpful and often includes relatable posts or questions. Beyond this, there are also a number of subgroups for travel, lessons specifically, or similar interests (musical theatre, writing). My Instagram & Twitter feeds give me a window into teaching and life in various parts of France. Especially if you’re settling in and a bit isolated, it can be a lifeline to have digital acquaintances who can relate to the joys and challenges you’re experiencing as a new arrival. And of course, finally, social media allows you to keep in touch with home. However, lest you worry about spending too much time online, proceed to #2…

2) Meeting people IRL

It may sound strange if you’ve never done this, but I’ve had good experiences meeting total strangers from Facebook and Instagram. Some of these were pre-planned, including an epic hike of Les Calanques during the holiday (see banner photo). However, I’ve literally met up with people on one day’s notice because we’d been following each other’s Insta and saw we were in the same place. Knowing that they were fellow assistants added a small amount of security and guarantee that we’d at least have a couple of interests in common.

Thanks to coordinating plans online, a couple of my travel buddies now live an hour away; I never would’ve been able to make or sustain these friendships without social media. Worried about only meeting other assistants? Tinder-to-make-friends sounds bizarre, mileage may vary, but it has let me meet kind locals my own age and practice more French. You may also encounter interesting-looking events near you via Facebook or another platform.

3) Lesson planning

I’m probably preaching to the choir here, but the Internet is a bottomless well of resources. To go beyond the usual EFL/ESL websites, which are helpful, I’ve found the group for fellow Secondary English Assistants to be a lifesaver. When hundreds of young adults are trying to teach similar topics in similar conditions, why not share activities and inspirations on what works or doesn’t? Sometimes peers also face relatable pedagogical issues (e.g. student behaviour, something logistical unique to France).

4) SNCF app(s)

If you frequently travel by train, it’s worth the ten seconds to get these apps. I typically get my tickets online (TGV Max or Carte Jeune) and then choose online delivery/e-ticket. By entering in the confirmation code, it’s easy to add it to your phone / Apple Wallet if applicable, and then your phone sends you push notifications on track numbers and timing changes. When you’re trying to make a tight connection, that can make all the difference. You can also check TER train times.

5) Google Maps

Again, this goes beyond social media per se. However, as someone with a dubious sense of direction, this is one of the main reasons I value phone data. Case in point: I won’t get into it much here, but I was given directions by a dog-walking stranger in awful weather. The directions seemed legit, until I got some weird vibes, pulled my phone out into the rain and realized that we were going into a different residential area, and the stranger tried to grab at me. Yikes. Suffice it to say it was really unsettling. However, by being able to check and catching the issue early (among other factors), I was grateful to get away and avoid a much worse scenario. (To any family reading this: I promise I do usually feel very safe here.)

For reasons like this and more, the stereotype that “millennials are addicted to their smartphones” irks me. Could we stand to have less scrolling, comparing and Netflix-binging in our lives? Sure. However, that is not the sum of what technology represents, either in general or to recent young arrivals to France. Through social media, we can form real connections, see from each other’s perspectives (whether through stylized photos or job tips), find in-person events and travel partners, and promote safety and efficient logistics when travelling. Social media can be a helpful refuge, but it doesn’t have to keep us in our comfort zones; it can serve as effective scaffolding to meaningful adventures and relationships.

 

In case you’re inspired to comment…
How do you feel about social media? How has it helped or hindered you in acclimatizing to a new home?